Chelsea's Boss Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The 44-year-old delivered a rather mysterious comment in his post-match interview even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to consecutive matches.

Yet, when asked about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period at the organization.

"How the squad are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous issues, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.

"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people withheld support from us."

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension issues, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea manager.

In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was unclear whether any specific press stories had irked him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter related to the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.